Earth's Spirit Spring

Liu Fuzhong was squeezed into a corner of the subway car by the crowd, sweat running down from his temples. His phone vibrated. With some effort, he pulled it out and saw a call from his department manager.

"Xiao Liu, the company has decided to cut staff, and your performance this month is at the bottom again..." The manager's voice came through the phone, icy and devoid of emotion. "Come in tomorrow and take care of your resignation paperwork."

The beeping as the call ended was swallowed by the roar of the subway pulling into the station. Liu Fuzhong clenched his phone until his knuckles turned white. This was the third time he had been laid off in two years, and the balance in his bank account wasn't even enough to cover next quarter's rent. He walked